Paint-by-Number is an enjoyable pastime. Sometimes, however, all the tiny spaces with even tinier numbers can be a bit daunting and confusing. With practice, you can create beautiful art. Here are some pointers to assist with a much improved end result.

Steps

1

Purchase a Paint-By-Number set. Pick one that you really like to increase the chances that you'll finish it. Sets come in many different varieties of subject matter: birds, flowers, seaside scenes, woodland scenes, cartoon characters, automotive themes.

2

Clear an area to work in. Cover the area with old newspapers or newsprint to keep it clean. If you can station this area in a room with a washable floor, that would be most beneficial.

3

Get a cup of water with which to clean your brush. Use a cup you don't usually drink from or one that can be washed thoroughly. A paper cup is fine. Disposable food containers also work well, for example, a used yogurt container. Also, stock the area with some rags.

4

Read the directions on the box.

5

Check to see which colors correspond to which numbers. This should be clearly marked on the paint containers.

6

Open the first paint container and paint every area marked with that number.

7

Wash your brush off when you finish to avoid accidentally mixing colors. The rag will come in handy as you will need to remove some of the water from the brush after washing.

8

Let the areas you have painted dry. Repeat with a new color until you have painted every area and the painting is totally dry.

9

Display your end masterpiece. If you like how your painting turned out, frame your creation or mat it, and hang it on your wall.

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Tips

Only open one color at a time and paint all areas with that color.

Acrylic paints (the kind that will probably be included in your kit) dry very quickly, so you will not have to wait long between coats.

Do your best to cover the numbers when painting, even if you have to apply a second coat of paint.

Make sure you cover all the areas and don't leave white spaces between blocks of color. One of the worst mistakes an artist can make is leaving white spaces.

If you have to mix colors, use the same one-color-at-a-time process as printed above.

Paint the smallest areas that are marked with arrows first, just so you don't accidentally cover them up.

If you are an experienced painter, you can ignore the color regulations and use your own colors. For example, if you are doing a paint by number of a black cat, you may decide that you want a brown striped cat. However, doing this may ruin the professional look of your painting.

Warnings

Paint doesn't stick to cardboard canvases as well as it does to normal ones. Try to get the better, but sometimes more expensive, ones for their good canvases.

Cover the work area with old newspapers to prevent spills.

Try not to buy prints with bold, black numbers, as the numbers may show up when you paint, ruining the picture.

Don't try to sell a paint by number off as you own creation. It is dishonest and in many places it can be against the law.